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In 2023-2024, the National TB Programmes in Uganda and Zimbabwe and The Union conducted an implementation research project in six health facilities in each country to optimise household TB contact management through a comprehensive package of services.
The services included home visits to index patients’ households, screening of all household contacts (HHC) for TB symptoms, sputum collection on-the-spot from those found symptomatic and offer of rapid HIV testing. All HHC - symptomatic or not - were referred for a free chest X-ray (CXR) with a transport cost reimbursement.
Contacts found to have TB were initiated on TB treatment. Those without TB and who were eligible, were offered TPT.
This summary sets out the key lessons from the project, demonstrating an integrated real-world approach to improving household TB contact management.